- Modern cameras and digital monitoring aim to curb accidents, promotes transparency, improve safety and streamline traffic flow
Traffic e-ticketing systems are widely used around the world to issue fines automatically using cameras and sensors. Their purpose is to improve efficiency, limit corruption, and deliver digital challans to violators through mail, SMS, or online platforms. Similar systems are being adopted in Pakistan, including Karachi, where the Sindh Police rolled out a new faceless e-challan system in October 2025. The initiative is designed to modernize traffic enforcement in the city and minimize direct contact between traffic police and drivers.
To ensure a smooth transition, it is said that a special committee has been formed to address public complaints once the system becomes fully operational. In the first week of November 2025, the Sindh Police also hosted a seminar titled traffic rules and faceless e-challan to educate people and stakeholders about the new initiative.
Statistics showed that in 2025, unluckily the city-Karachi has registered at least 546 deaths and over 8,100 injuries in road accidents during the first seven months, with heavy vehicles being a major cause of fatalities. This is a surge from the previous year, during which there were 771 deaths and over 8,100 injuries in about 9,000 accidents, as per the rescue services. Experts recorded that the high number of accidents is attributed to factors like heavy traffic, lack of driver awareness, and poor enforcement of traffic laws.
The Sindh Police officials said that the new system was introduced earlier than planned to assist curb traffic accidents and promote transparency. Now, technology will decide who is at fault, emphasizing that monitoring staff will only collect and forward camera-based evidence. It is hoped that this tech-driven approach would improve public trust and streamline traffic flow in the city, where congestion and law violations remain chief problems.
Different studies recorded that the traffic volume in the city is high and increasing, with daily vehicle registrations nearing 6 million and an average of over 20,000 vehicles per day on key routes like the M-9 motorway. The highest traffic volumes are seen during weekday mornings and evenings, mainly in business and residential areas.
Furthermore, the total number of registered vehicles in Karachi is estimated to be almost 4.137 million, based on statistics from 2013 which noted a rise of 28,000 vehicles per month at that time. More present statistics from a 2022 report by sources showed that the number of registered vehicles was almost 3.6 million, broken down into 1.25 million cars and 450,000 commercial vehicles.
It is important to note that the Sindh government has also revised traffic fines and launched a demerit points system under Section 121-A of the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965. Fines for overspeeding have been significantly increased—Rs5,000 for motorcycles, Rs15,000 for cars, and Rs20,000 for heavy vehicles—while driving without a licence may cost up to Rs50,000 along with six demerit points. Reckless driving will now incur a Rs25,000 penalty and eight points on the offender’s record.
It is expected that the modern e-ticketing system will end the human interference and partiality. Now the traffic violations will now be registered automatically with modern cameras. The Sindh government said that the system has been initially being launched with installation of 200 cameras and the number of cameras will be enhanced to 2,000 under the project. The system will be expanded across Sindh and traffic management system centers will be established for public guidance. Citizens could contact the centers for seeking clarification of the e-ticket or lodge an appeal.
Furthermore, the traffic official will be given 15 percent share of the challan money, and if the official issued a wrong challan, he has to pay back 30 percent fine. Moreover, the Karachi Traffic Police issued public advisory warning citizens about fake e-challan messages circulating via private numbers. Officials clarified that no payments are requested through personal contacts or mobile wallets like EasyPaisa. The department urged citizens to verify challans only through official channels to avoid scams. It is said that the goal of this digital transformation is not to collect fines but to save lives and promote safe driving culture across the province. The Sindh government also said that the traffic management system will ensure better service and safety of the citizens.
Causes of high traffic volume
- Rapid population growth.
- Inadequate infrastructure development.
- Heavy reliance on private vehicles.
- Increased dependency on motorcycles.
- Lack of reliable public transportation options.